Problem Creator: Viktor Ivanov

Theoretical 1: Magnetic Monopole

1

Introduction

Our everyday experience shows that the magnetic poles always exist in pairs North and South.
Breaking a magnet results in the appearance of a new pair of opposite magnetic poles on the
two broken ends. The fundamental laws of physics, however, do not contradict the existence of
magnetically charged particles called magnetic monopoles. The magnetic monopole is an object
possessing just one magnetic pole, either North, or South, which are analogues of the positive
and negative electric charges respectively. Thus, the magnetic field of the monopole is similar
to the electric field created by a static electric charge, i.e. its force lines begin or end at the
point where the monopole is located. This property is in contrast to the closed force lines of the
magnetic field created by permanent magnets (magnetic dipoles) and electric currents. The concept
of magnetic monopole was introduced in 1932 by the famous physicist Paul Dirac. On the basis of
quantum mechanics he proved that the existence of magnetic monopoles can explain the existence
of the elementary electric charge. That is why the physicists do not cease their efforts to discover
magnetic monopoles experimentally.
In the following questions you are going to establish some properties of the magnetic monopoles
by analyzing simple model situations (though experiments). You may assume that all laws of
physics known to you apply to the magnetic monopoles, except the statement for closed force lines
of the magnetic field. The velocities considered in this problem are much smaller than the speed
of light and, therefore, you may neglect the relativistic effects on time, length and mass.
Use the following physical constants in your solution:

magnetic permeability of vacuum:

0 = 4 107 H/m ;

electric permittivity of vacuum:

0 = 8.85 1012 F/m ;

speed of light:

c = 2.998 108 m/s ;

elementary electric charge:

e = 1.602 1019 C ;

Planks constant:

h = 6.626 1034 J.s .

Questions

1. When exposed to external magnetic field of induction B, a monopole of magnetic charge qm

experiences a force:
F = qm B

(1)

(a) Derive the unit of magnetic charge in terms of the basic SI units: kilogram, meter, second,
ampere.
(0.8 points)

Magnetic Monopole

Page 1 of 4

Questions

Question 1. When exposed to external magnetic field of induction B, a mon

Problem Creator: Viktor Ivanov
charge qm experiences a force:

Questions

osed to external magnetic field of induction B, a monopole of magnetic

F qm B
a force:
Theoretical 1: Magnetic Monopole
F

a. Derive the unit of magnetic charge in terms of the basic SI units: kilogra
ampere.

qm B

2. Electric current I circulates along a circular loop of radius a. A monopole of magnetic charge

of magnetic charge
terms ofonthe
SItheunits:
kilogram,
2.a Electric
currentsecond,
I circulates
a circular
loop of radius a
qm in
is situated
thebasic
axis ofQuestion
loop at
point ofmeter,
coordinate
z relative toalong
its center,
as shown

qm Zis and
situated
on the axis
of thecirculation
loop at a are
point of coordina
in Figure 1 . The positive magnetic
direction ofcharge
the axis
the direction
of current
related through the right-hand
rule.as shown in Figure 1. The positive direction of the axis Z and the di
center,

current I circulates
a an
circular
loop
a. AFthrough
monopole
of
circulation
are related
right-hand
(a) along
Find out
expression
for of
the radius
z-component
force
acting onrule.
the monopole.
z of the the
(1.1 points)
situated on the axis of the loop at a point of coordinate z relative to its
a. Find out an expression for the z-component Fz of the force acting on the
gure 1. The positive direction of the axis Z and the direction of current
I
hrough the right-hand rule.
a

qm

ression for the z-component Fz of the force acting on the monopole.

qm

Figure 1.

Figure 1: Question 2

Question 3. When at rest, the magnetic monopole creates static magnetic fi

3. When at rest, the magneticelectric

monopole
creates
staticby
magnetic
field, similar
to the
fieldinduction B at a
field
produced
a static electric
charge.
Theelectric
magnetic
produced by a static electric charge. The magnetic induction B at a point of position- vector
vector r, relative to the monopole (see Figure 2), is given by the equation:
r, relative to the monopole (see Figure 2), is given by the equation:
km qm r

k m qm r

B=
,
rest, the magnetic monopole creates static magnetic
field,r3 similar
to theB
r3
by a static electric charge. The magnetic induction B at a point of positionwhere km is a coefficient of proportionality and r = |r|.
km is a coefficient of proportionality and r
monopole (see Figure 2), is given by thewhere
equation:

(2)

r.

qm
Figure 2.

a. By analyzing theB system described in Question 2, express the unkno

throughrthe provided fundamental constants.

k m qm r
r3

qm

t of proportionality and r

r.

b. Formulate by means of equation the Gauss law for the flux

Figure
2.
created by the magnetic monopole.
Figure 2: Question 3

of the m

Question
A moving
electric charge
he system described in Question 2, express
the 4.
unknown
coefficient
km creates magnetic field. Likewise, the
(a) By analyzing the system described in Question 2, express the unknown coefficient km
monopole produces electric field with circular force-lines
(i.e. a vortex field) c
vided fundamental constants.
through the provided fundamental constants.
(1.6 points)

direction of motion of the monopole (see Figure 3). Consider a monopole of m

(b) Formulate by means of equation the Gauss law for the flux of the magnetic induction
. points)
along
lineinduction
with a constant velocity v(0.5
equation thecreated
Gaussby
law
the moving
flux
of thea straight
magnetic
thefor
magnetic
monopole.

means of
magnetic monopole.

4. A moving electric charge creates magnetic field. Likewise, the moving magnetic
monopole
4
produces electric field with circular force-lines (i.e. a vortex field) concentric with the direction
g electric charge ofcreates
magnetic field. Likewise, the moving magnetic
motion of the monopole (see Figure 3). Consider a monopole of magnetic charge qm moving
ctric field with circular
force-lines
(i.e. aaconstant
vortex field)
with the
along a straight
line with
velocityconcentric
v.

the monopole (see Figure 3). Consider a monopole of magnetic charge qm

line with a constant velocity v.
Magnetic Monopole

Page 2 of 4

Problem Creator: Viktor Ivanov

Theoretical 1: Magnetic Monopole

r
qm

electric force line

Figure 3.
Figure 3: Question 4

an expression
for electric
the intensity
of the electric
created in
byathe monopole in a
(a) Derive an expression a.
for Derive
the intensity
E of the
fieldEcreated
by thefield
monopole
point of position-vector rpoint
making
an angle with
the vector
velocity,
shown
in of
Figure
r making
an of
angle
withasthe
vector
velocity, as shown in
of position-vector
3. Use vector notations in
your 3.
final
order to in
specify
the magnitude,
Figure
Useanswer
vectorinnotations
your both,
final answer
in order and
to specify both, the
the direction of the electric
field.
(1.7
points)
magnitude, and the direction of the electric field.
(b) Suppose that a positive electric charge qe and a positive magnetic charge qm are movb. Suppose that a positive electric charge qe and a positive magnetic charge qm are moving
ing toward you, perpendicularly to the sheet of paper. Draw
an arbitrary force line
against you, perpendicularly to the sheet of paper. Draw two arbitrary force lines in you
in your answer sheet for the magnetic field created by the electric charge. Draw sepaanswer sheet one for the magnetic field created by the electric charge and another, fo
rately another arbitrary force line for the electric field created by the magnetic charge.
field created by the magnetic monopole. Indicate
directions of the two
Indicate the directions ofthe
theelectric
two lines.
(0.4 the
points)
lines.
5. The analogy between electric and magnetic charges is found also in the way they interact with
5. Therespectively.
analogy between
electrictoand
is found
external magnetic and Question
electric fields
Similarly
themagnetic
Lorentz charges
force acting
on also
an in the way they
with field,
external
electric
fields respectively.
Similarly
to the Lorentz force
electric charge moving interact
in magnetic
themagnetic
magneticand
charge
experiences
a force when
it moves
acting
on
an
electric
charge
moving
in
magnetic
field,
the
magnetic
charge
experiences a force
in electric field.
when it moves in electric field.
(a) Propose and analyze a thought experiment in order to derive an expression for the Lorentz
force acting on a monopole
of magnetic
charge
qm moving
with ain velocity
in electric
a. Propose
and analyze
a thought
experiment
order tovderive
an expression for the
field of intensity E. Use vector
notations
in
your
final
answer
in
order
to
specify
both, the
with a velocity v in
Lorenz force acting on a monopole of magnetic charge qm moving
magnitude and the direction
of
the
force.
When
describing
your
thought
experiment,
use
electric field of intensity E. Use vector notations in your final answer in order to specify
proper drawings and short
comments
to themand
instead
of a lengthy
(1.0 points)
both,
the magnitude
the direction
of thetext.
force. When
describing your though
experiment,
use propertodrawings
and short
comments
to them
instead of a lengthy text.
6. A point particle of electric charge
qe is confined
move along
a circle
without
any resistance
or friction, as shown inQuestion
Figure 4.6. A
of magnetic
charge qqmis passes
through
plane
A monopole
point particle
of electric charge
confined
to movethe
along
a circle without any
e
of the circle by movingresistance
along itsoraxis
Z
from
z

to
z

.
friction, as shown in Figure 4. A monopole of magnetic charge q passes through
m

the plane of the circle by moving along its axis Z from z

to z

qe
qm
Z

Figure 4.

Figure 4: Question 6
5

Magnetic Monopole

Page 3 of 4

a. Obtain an expression for the change in Zcomponent, Lz, of the angular momentum of
Problem Creator:
Viktor Ivanov
the electrically
charged particle during the whole motion of the magnetic monopole.
Express your answer in terms of qe, qm and fundamental constants only.

Theoretical
1:monopoles
Magnetic
Monopole
Question 7. In his famous
work on magnetic
Paul Dirac
has argued that if just one
single magnetic monopole existed in the Universe, all electric charges should be multiple of a
specific elementary electric charge, whose magnitude is related to the magnetic charge of that
(a) Obtain
an expression
for itthe
change
Zcomponent,
Lz , ofwhich
the angular
momentum
monopole.
Historically,
is the
firstinhypothesis
in physics,
explains
the existence of the
of
the
electrically
charged
particle
during
the
whole
motion
of
the
magnetic
monopole.
elementary electric charge.
Express your answer in terms of qe , qm and fundamental constants only.

(1.3 points)

the system
described
in Question
6, assuming
that that
all magnetic
monopoles
7. In hisConsider
famous work
on magnetic
monopoles
Paul Dirac
has argued
if just one
magnetic existing in
qm respectively
.
the Nature
magnetic
of the
sameshould
magnitude,
+qm and
monopole
existedhave
in the
Universe,charges
all electric
charges
be multiple
of aspecific
elementary
electric charge, whose magnitude is related to the magnetic charge of that monopole. Historithein concepts
of quantum
physics
to the
motion
of electrically
charged
cally, it isa.theBy
firstapplying
hypothesis
physics, which
explains the
existence
of the
elementary
electric
particle along the circular orbit, derive a relationship between the elementary electric
charge.
, assumedintoQuestion
be the charge
of thethat
electron,
and the
magneticexisting
charge qm of the
Consider thecharge
system edescribed
6, assuming
all magnetic
monopoles
in the Naturemonopole.
have magnetic
charges
the same magnitude, +qm and qm respectively.
qm of
numerically.
Calculate
(a) By applying the concepts of quantum physics to the motion of electrically charged
particle
2
b. the
The
electron
possesses
self magnetic
moment
pm 9.274electric
10 24 A.m
along
circular
orbit,
derive aa relationship
between
theofelementary
charge. By
e, assuming
assumedthat
to be
charge of
the electron,
and
the magnetic
qm of
monopole.
thethe
magnetic
properties
of the
electron
are duecharge
to a pair
of the
spatially
separated point
Calculate qm numerically.
(1.1 points)

magnetic monopoles of opposite magnetic charges, +qm and qm respectively; calculate the

(b) The electron

possesses
a self these
magnetic
moment of pm = 9.274 1024 A.m2 . By assuming
distance
d between
monopoles.
that the magnetic properties of the electron are due to a pair of spatially separated point
magnetic monopoles of opposite magnetic charges, +qm and qm respectively; calculate
the distance d between these monopoles.
(0.5 points)

Useful math:

Useful math :

The solid
angle byenclosed
by half-opening
a cone of half-opening
angle
(see the
The solid angle
enclosed
a cone of
angle (see
the Figure
5) figure)
is: =is:
2(1 cos())
2 (1 cos( ))

Figure 5: Solid Angle

Depending on your approach to the solution you may need the following integral:

Depending on your approach to the solution you may need the following integral:
Z
dz
2
dz
2
= 2.
3/2
2
2
2
2 32
2
a
(z + a )
(z a )
a

(3)

Magnetic Monopole

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

It is a common misunderstanding that oil is located in the form of
an underground lake. Actually, it is found in very small pores with a
size comparable to the diameter of human hair. Void space between
particles of sand is filled with oil like a sponge is filled with water. If
one pushes on the sponge, water comes out. A similar thing occurs
with oilsaturated rocks, which are located a few kilometers beneath
the surface of the Earth. When all the rocks above the reservoir
exert a huge pressure on the petroleum sponge, the oil flows to the
surface (see Figure 1). In this problem we neglect capillary and
gravity effects on the fluid flow.

Figure 2: Representation of the

Figure 1: Scheme of the oil produc- porous medium (grains in white and
tion process
void space in blue)

Figure 3: Cubic stacking of identical

spherical grains

Basic Concepts

(a) One of the most important characteristics of the reservoir is porosity, which is the fraction of
the void space in the rock to the total volume:
=

Vvoid
,
Vgrains + Vvoid

(1)

where V stands for the volume.

To understand meaning of this concept, imagine identical balls (grains of sand) that put in a
pile as shown in Figure 3.
Find the porosity of the system if the number of balls is infinitely large.

(0.3 points )

(b) A fluid flow between the grains of sand is controlled by viscosity and permeability. Consider
a flow of the viscous fluid through a tube with length L0 and radius r0 (Figure 4). Fluid
molecules moves along free paths and collide with each other. However, this process is not
uniform. Close to the solid boundary molecules are stuck, while in other regions velocity varies,
with a profile similar to the sketch shown in Figure 4, where y is measured from the axis of
the tube.

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

Figure 4: Schematic of the viscous fluid flow in the tube

The reason for this effect is the internal friction of the fluid, or viscosity. If two adjacent
layers of fluid flow with slightly different speeds, the random sidewise intrusion of some faster
molecules into the slower stream will tend to speed up the slower stream, whereas intrusion of
slower molecules into the faster stream will tend to slow down the faster stream. This effect
could be quantified with following well-known equation:
Ff r = Af r

dv
,
dy

(2)

where Ff r is a friction force which occurs between two thin layers of the fluid separated by
a small distance dy, which have differences in velocities dv; Af r is a contact area on which
applied the internal friction force; is the fluid property called coefficient of viscosity.
Find the velocity distribution v(y) in terms of , L0 , r0 , P1 and P2 . Assume that a mean free
path of molecules is much smaller than the radius of the tube.
(0.6 points)
(c) Under described conditions fluid will flow through the tube with a flow rate:
q=

k0 2 P1 P2
r
.
0 L0

(Poiseuille equation)

Calculate coefficient k0 in Poiseuille equation.

(3)
(0.3 points)

(d) A fluid flow through a porous medium is governed by Darcys law:

q=

dV
k (Pin Pout )
= A
,
dt

(4)

where dV
dt is the amount of fluid transferred through the rock in some period of time; A, L are
the cross-sectional area and length of the sample shown in Figure 5; Pin Pout is the pressure
drop; k is the permeability and is the property of the rock
(You can easily recognize some similarity with Fouriers Law for heat transfer. Using analogies
with heat transfer could significantly help in solution of this problem, because approaches are
very similar).
Porous medium can be modeled as a system of twisted tubes (Figure 5), with permeability
k = k0 2 Where k0 is permeability of a straight capillary; 2 accounts for nonlinearity of the
tubes in a porous medium with porosity .

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

Figure 5: Diagaram showing definition of Darcys law

Estimate permeability of the system described in 1.a, with radiuses of the balls equal to 106
m.
(0.1 points)
(e) Usually, rock properties are not uniform throughout the reservoir. However, it is possible to
apply an averaging procedure to find an effective permeability kef f . This means that the initial
system could be replaced with a new model that has the same sizes and fluid flow parameters
with the only difference in permeability, which is uniform throughout the new homogeneous
sample. To examine this issue, we consider a sample consisting of two different rock types as
shown in Figure 6. An incompressible fluid flows through that system with a flow rate q and
viscosity .

Figure 6: Composite rock sample

Calculate pressure at the boundary between two different rocks Pb in terms of q, , and
parameters shown in Figure 6.
(0.8 points)
(f) Find the effective permeability of the system kef f .

(0.4 points)

Vertical Well

Often the reservoir can be modeled as a cylinder (see Figure 7). For this problem all properties
were averaged out as in the previous part, so the reservoir is assumed homogeneous with uniform
permeability k. Oil can be viewed as an incompressible fluid with viscosity . Because the rocks
above and below the reservoir are impermeable and the height of the cylinder is much less than its
radius (h << R), one can conclude that the fluid flows only in the radial direction.

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

Figure 7: Cylindrical reservoir with a vertical well drilled in the center

(a) Find the velocity of the oil vw inside the well with radius rw = 0.1 m, if the flow rate is 30
m3
(0.4 points)
day . Estimate the fluid velocity in the reservoir near the well vr .
(b) The calculated fluid velocity in the reservoir is rather small therefore the reservoir pressure
can be treated as a constant for several months or even years, especially if the reservoir is
connected with an underground source of water. Let Pb be the pressure at the outer boundary
of the reservoir and Pw be the pressure at the bottom of the well. In this part assume that both
Pb and Pw are constants (time-independent values), as well as the radial pressure distribution.
Calculate pressure drop Pb Pw , which is required to produce oil with flow rate q.
(1.0 points)
(c) Make a sketch of pressure distribution in the reservoir P (r) as a function of the distance from
the well.
(0.4 points)

Modeling Reservoir Depletion

In this part the depletion process will be analyzed for the reservoir shown in Figure 8. The well
has a horizontal part, therefore, the fluid flow in the reservoir is linear (h << L).

Figure 8: System used for modeling reservoir depletion

This time, pressure at the bottom of the well Pw is constant (hydrostatic column of oil). However, the pressure at the boundary Pb (t) is changing with time, as well as the oil production rate

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

q(t). In this model the flow rate of the fluid is given by:
q = 2L2 cr h

dP
,
dt

(5)

where cr is the compressibility of the rock, and the average pressure inside the reservoir P is
approximated by:
Pb + Pw
.
(6)
P
2
(a) Derive an explicit expression for q(t) in terms of k, , cr , and reservoir dimensions, if the
initial flow rate is q0 .
(1.2 points)
(b) For the system described in this section, determine the time needed to deplete the oil reservoir
by a half.
(1.0 points)
(c) Historically, first attempts to predict reservoir performance were made by doing analogies to
electric circuits. Draw a simple electric circuit, which is analogous to the system described in
Part 3.
(0.5 points)
(d) The reason why gas reservoirs cannot be modeled with the circuit as in 3.c, is that gas is
highly compressible, with a compressibility being strongly dependent on the applied pressure.
Compressibility is defined as:


1 dV
c=
,
(7)
V dP T
where V is initial volume of the examined sample, dV is isothermal volume change, when
additional pressure dP is applied.
Assuming natural gas as ideal, derive its compressibility cg as funtion of pressure P .
(0.3 points)

Fractured Reservoir

Most of the worlds largest oil reservoirs have a different structure, which is not a pile of small balls
with fluid between, but a very complex system of porous medium and fractures as shown in Figure
9 (left). Fortunately, such reservoirs could be easily modeled with a stack of sugar cubes, as in
Figure 9 (right).
In the model supposed that the production from fractured reservoir goes from the matrix to
the fracture and therefrom to the well. Thus, matrix does not produce directly into the well. Such
a simple model gives incredibly good results for oil production forecasts with an equation:
q=

a3
(Pm Pf ) ,

(8)

where q is a flow rate from matrix to fracture, Pm is average pressure at the matrix, Pf is pressure
at fracture, near the boundary of the sugar cube with a side a, and is shape factor, related to
the dimensions of the sugar cubes.

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Pavel Levchenko

Theoretical 2: Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

Figure 9: Idealization of a fractured system

Figure 10: Sugar cube from the inside

The goal of this part of the problem is to estimate shape factor . Consider a cube with the side
a filled with a porous medium with porosity , permeability k, and compressibility cr . Oil flows
with a constant rate q symetrically from the center of the cube to its boundaries, where pressure
is equal Pf , which changes with time t. Furthermore, if the well producing at constant flow rate
then the cell pressure will decline in such a way that
dPm
const for all x and t.
dt

(9)

(a) Calculate pressure distribution inside the cube Pm (x) in terms of Pf , a, , k, and, q.
(2.2 points)
(b) What is the shape factor for the cube with side a ?

(0.5 points)

Physics of the Oil and Gas Production

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Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan

Theoretical 3: Tornado
CONSTANTS AND DATA:
Gravitational acceleration
Air density
Molar mass of dry air
Universal gas constant
Sea level pressure
Standard sea level temperature
Heat capacity ratio of air

:
:
:
:
:
:
:

g = 9.8 m/s2
Air = 1.2 kg/m3
MAir = 0.029 kg/mol
R = 8.314 J/(mol.K)
P0 = 105 Pa
T0 = 15 C
= Cp /Cv = 1.4

Introduction
Tornado is one of the deadliest atmospheric phenomena known to man. It is a violent vortex
(rotating column) of air connecting the base of cumulonimbus1 cloud and the ground. A distinct
feature of the tornado is its funnel-like core or condensation funnel (Region II) which is made
of small water droplets that condense as they are sucked into the core as shown in Fig. 1(b).
This region is defined by the core radius rC (z) which generally increases with altitude forming the
signature funnel-shape of the tornado.
Region I is the region outside tornado core. Region I and II have different velocity distribution
profile as we will explore later.

Figure 1: (a) A tornado wreaking havoc in Texas, US. (b) A cross section diagram of a tornado
and its coordinate system.
Let us explore the interesting physics of tornado. Using a simple model as shown in Fig. 1(b)
and few basic principles, you will try to estimate the rotating speed of tornado, calculate the
pressure and temperature inside the tornado and most interestingly derive the equation for the
shape of a tornado rC (z).
1

Cumulonimbus cloud is a towering vertical cloud that is very tall, dense, and involved in thunderstorms and other
rainy weather.

Tornado

Page 1 of 4

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan

Theoretical 3: Tornado
Questions

!
Figure 2: A Tornado landscape

The calm weather

We will investigate the atmospheric pressure of the troposphere (the lowest part of the atmosphere)
where most of the weather phenomena including tornado occurs. Let us start from a calm weather
location at point A far away from the tornado. At point A the pressure is P0 and temperature T0
(see Constants and Data).
(a) Assuming ideal gas law, constant gravity acceleration and a constant temperature T0 . Show
that the atmospheric pressure as a function of altitude z is:
P (z) = P0 ez
Express in terms of the constants listed in Constants and Data.

(0.8 points)

(b) Now we consider a situation where the air density, Air , is constant. Derive the pressure as
a function of altitude: P (z)! The temperature T drops with altitude z at a linear rate of b.
Find b!
(1.0 points)
(c) Using your result in (b) calculate the pressure at point B on the base of the cumulonimbus!
(use h = 1 km)
(0.2 points)

The shape of tornado

Inside the tornados core the water vapor condenses into liquid droplets as the air spirals into the
core forming condensation funnel. The water vapor condenses when the temperature drops below

Tornado

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Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan

Theoretical 3: Tornado
certain point called dew point. This temperature drop is caused by pressure drop. Thus the region
where the water vapor starts to condense marks a boundary of equal pressure called isobar boundary
layer that stretches from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud down to the base of tornado (shown
as red boundary in Figure 2). This is the boundary between region I and II.
Now only consider region I. Consider a reference point G (Fig. 2) very close to the ground
(z 0) located at radius rG . The speed vG can be treated as the ground rotation speed of the
tornado.
We further assume: (i) The tornado is stationary (only has rotation and no translation); (ii)
The wind radial velocity is negligible. Velocity v is only tangential (along the circle), not radial.
(iii) The wind velocity v is independent of altitude z, it only depends on the radial position r. (iv)
We ignore turbulence very close to the ground. (v) We assume air mass density (air ) is constant.
(a) Show that in both region I and II along r :
P
v2
= air
r
r
(0.4 points)
(b) In region I calculate the tangential wind velocity v as a function of r and in terms of vC and
rC (velocity and radius at the core boundary)at any given altitude (z)!
(0.5 points)
(c) Estimate the air speed vG at the base of tornado at point G!

(0.5 points)

(d) Derive the shape of the condensation funnel or the tornado core i.e. the function rC (z), express
them in terms of rG and vG and altitude z! Plot or sketch this tornado shape in dimensionless
quantities z/h vs. r/rG , where h is the height defined in Fig. 2!
(2.0 points)
(e) Most tornadoes look like funnel (the radius is larger at higher altitude) while some is more
uniform in diameter like a pipe. Given everything the same, which one do you think has the
higher ground rotation speed vG ?
(0.5 points)

The core of tornado

We will try to calculate the pressure at the center of tornado. Now we will consider both region I
and II.
(a) In region II (r < rC ) the tornado core behaves as rigid body, derive expression for the (tangential) speed v(r) in this region. Plot the velocity profile from r = 0 to !
(1.1 points)
(b) Calculate the pressure at the center of the tornado (point C, at the same altitude as point G!
Use vG from part 2(c)!
(1.2 points)
(c) Estimate the temperature at the center of the tornado (point C)!

(0.5 points)

(d) Based on your finding in (c) suggest in only few words what could be a possible source of
tornados tremendous energy!
(0.3 points)

Tornado

Page 3 of 4

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan

Theoretical 3: Tornado
4

Shall you open or close the windows?

The differential pressure near a tornado is thought to cause poorly ventilated houses to explode
even though the tornado is only passing at a distance. Therefore some people suggest that the
windows have to be opened to vent or let the pressure in the house equilibrates with outside
quickly. However, opening the windows will risk more damage due to debris and projectiles getting
into the house.
Consider a house with all windows and openings closed with a flat roof of dimension (width x
length x thickness) 15 m x 15 m x 0.1 m and mass density Roof = 800 kg/m3 . The tornado is
coming fast and passing at a distance d = 2rG away from the house.
(a) What is the ratio of the lift force on the roof compared to its weight?
(0.8 points)
(b) Shall you open or close the windows?

(0.2 points)

Tornado

Page 4 of 4

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
1

APPARATUS
1. Cylinder magnet 25.4 mm long x 6.3 mm diameter ( 2 pcs)
2. Pencil leads, size : 0.3, 0.7, 0.9 mm diameter (4 mm long 2 pcs each), 0.5 mm diameter (60
mm long 2 pcs).
3. Tweezer (1 pc)
4. Toothpicks (3 pcs)
5. Platform (1 pc)
6. Magnetic pendulum assembly (1 set)
7. Acrylic sticks (5 pcs, various length)
8. Scissor (1 pc)
9. Stopwatch (1 pc)

10. Ruler (15 cm)

Platform

Scissor

Stop Watch

Tweezer

0.9 mm

0.7 mm

0.5 mm

0.3 mm

Toothpicks

Card Stacks
Ruler

Acrylic Sticks

Figure 1: Experimental setup.

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 1 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
IMPORTANT EXPERIMENTAL DATA:
Magnetic permeability in vacuum
Local earth magnetic field (horizontal component)
Mass density of Acrylic stick
Diameter of the stick
Mass density of pencil

:
:
:
:
:

0
BE
s
ds
P

=
=
=
=
=

1.257 106 H/m

38.320 T
1178.5 kg/m3
3 mm
1770 kg/mm

INTRODUCTION

Magnetic trap is a very useful system in physics which is used to trap matter like molecules, atoms,
or subatomic particles for various research and applications. The trap suspends (or levitates) the
matter in free space isolating them from the environment. This allows us to study various physical
characteristics of the trapped matter.
In this experiment we will study a very simple and fascinating magnetic trap system using items
familiar to you: pencils and magnets.
If you put the pencil in between the magnet as shown below, the pencil will levitate, floating in
free space. Both magnets are identical and they have uniform diametric magnetization M which
means the magnetization is along the diameter (or x-axis) of the magnet as shown in Fig. 2(c). The
magnetization M is defined as volume (V ) density of the magnetic moment (m), i.e. M = m/V .

Figure 2: (a) Experimental setup (b) Cross-section view of the experimental setup (c) Diametric
magnetization of the magnet.
You will observe that the pencil is confined in all three directions. It is strongly confined or
trapped in the x and y direction, and weakly confined in z direction forming a onedimensional
potential well.
Lets explore the interesting physics of this magnetic trap. We will also attempt to measure the

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 2 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
magnetic susceptibility of the pencil which is defined as: = r 1, where r is the magnetic
permeability.

Notice:
Error analysis is not required in this experiment.
3

EXPERIMENT & QUESTIONS

A.

Introduction (2 points)

If you touch a paper clip with a magnet, then the paper clip becomes magnetized and it will
attract another paper clip. In general, any material with magnetic permeability r in a uniform
magnetic field B will become magnetized with magnetization M, which is the volume density of
the magnetic moment: M = m/V . For example, for a cylindrical object like pencil with relative
magnetic permeability r in a uniform magnetic field B as shown below, it will experience an
induced magnetization M given as:

M=

2
B
0 + 2

(1)

The direction of the induced magnetization M depends on the relative magnetic permeability
of the material that determines the type of magnetic material:
1. Ferromagnet (r > 1 or > 0)
2. Paramagnet (r 1 or 0)
3. Diamagnet (r < 1 or < 0)
A.1. Sketch roughly how the magnetic field is distributed around a single and a pair of cylindrical
magnets below (cross section are shown). Note that the cylinder magnet is uniformly magnetized indicated by the arrow where N is the North pole of the magnet and S is the South pole.
(0.8 points)

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 3 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

A.2. In the case of a pair of diametric magnets, the magnetic field along y axis at the center (x = 0)
is given as:


a4
y2
B = 0 M 2
1 2 x

(2)
(a + y 2 )2
a
where M is the magnetization of the magnets and a is the radius of the cylindrical magnet.
Sketch the magnetic field (B) distribution along y axis!
(0.5 points)
A.3. How can the pencil levitate? Draw and write down the forces working on the pencil!
(0.4 points)
A.4. Deduce what kind of magnetic material is the pencil: a ferromagnet, paramagnet or diamagnet?
(0.3 points)

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 4 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
Warning/Instruction:

!
1. The magnets are very strong. Separate the magnet carefully by twisting the magnet pairs
as shown above.
2. Use one magnet for the compass/torsional pendulum setup (use the one without the ruler
on it) and place another one at least 80 cm away. Plug the magnet (without the ruler on it)
into the wooden fixture as shown in Fig. 3.
3. Put away all metallic or magnetic objects (e.g. scissor) from the magnet in the pendulum
setup so they will not interfere with the magnet oscillation.
4. The magnets are fragile ! Once you are ready for the next experiment. Please join the
magnets by bringing the magnets carefully by holding the magnets slowly. If they collide
with each other they may break!

B.

Magnetic moment of the magnet (2 points)

The height where the pencil levitates (y0 ) depends on the strength of the magnet i.e. its magnetic
moment mM . We will measure mM using a compass experiment by hanging the magnet and
measuring its oscillation period as shown below:
Plug the magnet into the fixture as shown and the system will act as a compass that aligns and
oscillates towards the earths magnetic field. The acrylic stick helps us to track the orientation of
the compass. This oscillation has a period:
r
IT otal
T = 2
(3)
mM BE
where BE is the local earths magnetic field and IT otal is the total moment inertia of the system
given as : IT otal = IM AGN ET + IF IXT U RE + IST ICK . Note that we do not need to know
IM AGN ET and IF IXT U RE in order to calculate mM .
The moment inertia of the stick (mounted centered to the fixture as shown below) is given as:
IST ICK =

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

1
ms Is2
12

(4)

Page 5 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Acrylic

Figure 3: The Compass experiment or torsional pendulum setup.

where mS is the mass of the acrylic stick and lS is the length of the stick. The relevant data are
given in Constants and Data section
B.1. Perform experiment to determine the magnetic moment of the magnet mM !

(1.8 points)

B.2. Calculate the volume magnetization of the magnet M = mM /V where V is the volume of the
magnet.
(0.2 points)

C.

The levitating pencil (2 points)

The interaction between the magnetized pencil and the magnetic field along yaxis [Fig. 2(b)] has
a potential energy U = mp B, where mp is the induced magnetic moment of the pencil. This
potential energy can be expressed as (excluding gravity):


4
2
2 2

2a a y
U (y) = 2b l
0 M
+2
(a2 + y 2 )4
2

(5)

where M is the magnetization of the magnet, b is the radius of pencil, l is the pencils length, and
is the magnetic susceptibility of the pencil.
In this experiment you are provided with different diameters of pencils: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm
already cut with approximately l = 4 mm. The mass density of the pencil (P ) is given in the
Constants and Data section.
C.1. Measure the levitating or equilibrium height (yeq ) of the pencils with various diameters!
(0.4 points)
C.2. Does yeq depends on the diameter of the pencil? Deduce theoretically using Eq. (5) above! Is
this consistent with your experimental result?
(0.4 points)
C.3. From the experiment, deduce the magnetic susceptibility () of the pencil!

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

(1.2 points)

Page 6 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
D.

The onedimensional potential well : Stability & Profile (2

points)

We will investigate the one-dimensional potential along the z axis which because of its shape is
called a camel-back potential in physics. Note that the plot in Fig. 4 below is for potential per
unit length. In this experiment you can use the name cards to tilt the platform if needed.

Figure 4: The camel back potential along the zaxis.

D.1. Investigate experimentally the range of pencil length l where the pencil levitates in stable
condition. Is there any critical length(s) where the pencil is no longer in stable levitation?
Note: You can cut the pencil to any length l. Use 0.5 mm diameter pencil.
(0.6 points)
D.2. For the critical length(s) you find above, explain with mostly diagram and few words, why
the pencil no longer levitates beyond this (these) critical length(s)?
(0.4 points)
D.3. Perform experiment to deduce the peak position zP (measured from the center of the magnet).
Compare your finding with part (1) above.
(0.5 points)
Note: Use 0.5 mm diameter pencil with 4 mm length.
D.4. Perform experiment to deduce the potential depth U !
Note: Use 0.5 mm diameter pencil with 4 mm length.

(0.5 points)

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 7 of 8

Problem Creator: Oki Gunawan & Yudistira Virgus

Experiment 2:
Pencil In A Magnetic Trap
E.

Oscillation in the one-dimensional potential well (2 points)

In this final section we will investigate the longitudinal oscillation of the pencil along the camelback potential and deduce the magnetic susceptibility of the magnet again.
The exact onedimensional potential has a complicated form, however, we can approximate this
potential in the well region as shown in Fig. 4(b) (7 mm < z < 7 mm) as:
U (z) = c0 + c2 z 2 + c4 z 4

(6)

where c0 , c2 and c4 are constants and z = 0 is the midpoint of the magnets (the point that divides
each magnet equally in length). This form of potential can reproduce the real potential very well
except at the regions close to the ends of the magnets (|z| > 7 mm).
The constant c0 is irrelevant because it will not affect the shape of the potential, c4 is unknown
but c2 is given as:

c2 = 439b2 l
0 M 2
(7)
+2
In this experiment, use 0.5 mm diameter pencils.
E.1. Using Eq. 6 and 7 and assuming c4 = 0, derive the period of oscillation of pencil along the
zaxis! Does the period depend on the pencil length?
(0.7 points)
E.2. Measure the period of the oscillations of pencil for various pencil lengths up to l = 14 mm.
Does the period depend on the length of the pencil?
(0.7 points)
E.3. From your oscillation measurement, calculate the magnetic susceptibility of the pencil again!
(0.6 points)

Experiment 2: Pencil In A Magnetic Trap

Page 8 of 8

SOLUTION

PENCIL IN A MAGNETIC TRAP

Experimental problem for The 2nd World Physics Olympiad 2012
Yudistira Virgus, Oki Gunawan

SOLUTION
[1] Introduction
(a) Note that the field inside the magnet follows the magnetization direction.

(b) Magnetic field distribution along the y-axis :

SOLUTION
(c)

Short answer:
The pencil behaves as a cylindrical magnet with opposite magnetization so the pencil and the magnets
repel (Fm) each other. This repulsion force counteracts the weight W of the pencil so the pencil
levitates.
Semi quantitative answer:
The magnetized pencil interacts with the surrounding magnetic field and yields a potential energy:
U M = mP .B where mP is the pencils induced magnetic moment.
We have mP ~

+2

B thus U M ~

+2

B 2 and FM = dU M / dy ~

+2

d ( B 2 ) / dy .

From part (b) above we have d ( B 2 ) / dy < 0 for 0 < y < a. Thus to counter the gravity, Fy has to be
positive (pointing upward) thus has to be negative (i.e. diamagnetic).
This repulsion force is greater at lower height and at some point this will counteract the weight W of
the pencil so the pencil levitates.

(d) The pencil is a diamagnet. (See semi-quantitative answer above).

One could also deduce from the familiar fact that a ferromagnet is attracted to another magnet (or to
regions with higher magnetic field density) but a diamagnet is the opposite. Thus the pencil is a
diamagnet.

SOLUTION
[2] Magnetic moment of the magnet

We measure the oscillation period T using various lengths of wooden stick by cutting it. The longer
the stick the longer is the period.
lS

5xT

(m)

(s)

(s)

5.95
4.96
4.15
2.97
2.33
1.81

1.190
0.992
0.830
0.594
0.465
0.362

0.133
0.114
0.094
0.075
0.056
0

The oscillation period T is related to the length of the stick as, using
(2)2
4 2
T =
ITOT =
mM BE
mM BE
2

2 3
I M + I F + 48 S d S lS

We use mS = S ( d S lS / 4) for the mass of the stick. This leads to a linear relationship between T 2
and lS 3. The data is shown below:
2

SOLUTION

(a) Given the slope B, we obtain the magnetic moment mM of the magnet :
2

mM =

3 S d S
3 (677)(2.09e 3)2
=
= 0.683A.m 2
12 B BE 12(554.5)(20.19e 6)

(b) Thus the volume magnetization of the magnet is:

M=

mM
m
= M2 = 8.62 105 A/m
V
a L

[3] The Levitating Pencil

(a) The equilibrium heights (yeq) of the pencils with various diameters and length l ~ 5 mm are shown
below:
dP

y0

(mm)
0.3
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.3

0.3 (mm)
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0

(b) The total potential energy, including gravity, is given as:

4
2
2 2

a
a

y
(
) .

U ( y ) = b 2l gy 2 0 M 2
4

+ 2 ( a2 + y2 )

We can calculate the net force in the y-direction, with = y / a :

SOLUTION
2
2
b 2l
4 ( 3 )(1 )
U
2
ga + 2 o M
Fy =
=
5
2

+2
y
a

+
1
(
)

At equilibrium position yeq, we have Fy = 0 thus:

2
2
4 (3 eq )(1 eq )
P g a + 20 M
=0
2
+2
(1 + eq )5
2

It is clear from the above equation that yeq is independent of the pencils diameter b, which is
consistent with the experimental result.

(c) By solving the equation above and from the data available and using the M from part 2(b) we get:

= 1.1 104
Note that this susceptibility value is reasonable as it is within the range of literature values of for
graphite which is in the range of (1.4 83) 10 5 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_
susceptibility].
The uncertainty in this experiment is actually rather large due to the very coarse precision of the ruler
within 0.5 mm. This uncertainty leads to a range of as: = (4.9 39) 10 5 .

[4] The one-dimensional potential well : Stability and Profile

(a) By cutting the 0.5 mm pencil to various lengths we found the range for stable levitation is:
3 1 mm < l < 20 1 mm

Therefore, lC1 = 3 1 mm and lC 2 = 20 1 mm. Note that the length of the magnet is L = 25 mm.

(b) For very short pencil (l < lC1), the pencil becomes easily rotated along y-axis because it tends to
align itself with the magnetic field in x direction. This makes the levitation unstable and the pencil get
stuck touching the surface of the magnet.
For very long pencil (l > lC2), a portion of the pencil is outside the potential well and in these area the
potential falls off rapidly. Thus the total potential energy (integrated over the length of the pencil) will
becomes smaller if the pencil is outside the well thus the pencil gets ejected and become unstable.

(c) To deduce the peak position zP one can tilt the platform until the pencil comes off. The last position
of the edge where the pencil is still trapped is approximately the peak position. We have to make sure
5

SOLUTION
that the pencil is as stationary as possible; otherwise a little oscillation will eject the pencil. This can
be done easily by inserting stacks of name cards and sliding them towards the magnet to increase the
angle of inclination and the pencil will be pushed towards the cliff as shown below:

In this experiment, using 0.5 mm diameter / 4 mm length pencil, we obtain z = 3mm that yields:

zP = L / 2 z = (9.5 1)mm .
Comparing this result with part (a) we have good agreement that 2 z P ~ lC 2 as expected, since the
steep cliff outside the well is the cause for instability for pencil length l > lC2.

(d) To deduce the potential depth U requires a little trick as shown below. U can be found by
finding the critical angle C when the pencil, after being released from the center (held by a toothpick),
will be able to just get out from the magnet. At this point the potential at the peak position zP is equal
to that at the origin (z = 0), thus U then can be calculated using: U = mP g zP sin C .

SOLUTION
We found a very small critical angle sin C = 2/140 or C ~ 0.82 which is enough to make the pencil
escapes from the magnet after being released from the center. Given the diameter and the length of the
pencil we obtain:
U = ( P b 2 l ) g z P sin C = 2100 (0.25e 3)2 (4e 3) 9.5e 3 2 /140 = 2.2 nJ
which is a very small confinement barrier indeed.

[5] Oscillation in the one-dimensional potential well

(a) The potential function can be written as:

1
U ( z ) = c0 + k z 2
2
where k = 878 b 2l

+2

0 M 2 .

For simple harmonic oscillator, T = 2 mP / k and mP = P b 2l , thus :

T = 2

2
8780 M + 2

and it is independent of pencil length.

(b) The longitudinal oscillation period data :

l (mm)

10T (s)

T (s)

13.2
13.0
13.6
13.4
13.3
13.6
13.0
13.5
13.1
12.6
13.1
13.0

1.32
1.30
1.36
1.34
1.33
1.36
1.30
1.35
1.31
1.26
1.31
1.30

10

12

T (s)
1.33

1.34

1.32

1.29

SOLUTION
The experimental result suggests that the period is independent of length, in agreement with theory
assuming that there are no higher order terms (c4 z4
0)

(c) The experiment shows that there is no significant dependence between the pencil length and the
period or in other words, the spring constant k is uniform everywhere in this range (|l| < 14 mm).
This implies that the potential function is purely harmonic thus there is no higher order terms or the c4
z4 term is negligible compared with c2z2.

(d) Using the average oscillation period T = 1.32 s and by solving the equation in (b) we obtain:

= 1.38 104
which is in reasonable agreement with the previous result in 3(c).

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity
A.

Introduction

Thermoelectricity, i.e. direct conversion of electricity into heat or heat into electricity, is very
important in modern technique: Peltier-coolers are common parts in PCs; thermocouples are
widely used for temperature measurements; and radioisotope thermoelectric generators are used
in space missions; for examples. In this problem a semiconductor thermoelectric cell is studied.
Initially the cell is used as a thermocouple, and the Seebeck-coefficient, the internal resistance of
the cell, as well as the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator are to be measured. Then it is
studied as a Peltier-cell and the Peltier-coefficient is measured. Finally the absolute temperature
can be determined from Seebeck- and Peltier-coefficient.

B.

Theoretical background

The thermoelectric cell used in this measurement consists of several n-type and p-type semiconductors connected in series and attached between two aluminium plates using electrically insulating
glue that is a good thermal conductor at the same time (Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)). The cell can be
used as a thermoelectric generator or as a Peltier-cell. In the first case the temperature difference
between the plates generates an electromotive force (emf) between the terminals of the cell, in the
second case the current through the cell pumps heat from one plate to the other.

Figure 1: (a) Left: Schematic of Thermoelectic cell (b) Right: Thermoelectric cell

B.1
In these processes the following thermoelectric and purely thermal phenomena are performing
significant roles:
B.1.1

Seebeck-effect

Let us consider a simple set-up of n- and p-type semiconductors connected as shown in Fig. 2.
If we keep plates A and C at temperature T0 and plate B at temperature T = T0 + T then a
voltage V = T occurs between A and C. The constant (called Seebeck-coefficient) depends
on the properties of the different materials (in this case n-type and p-type semiconductors) but
independent of the connecting materials.

Thermoelectricity

Page 1 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity

Figure 2:
B.1.2

Peltier-effect

If we force an electric current I through the set-up on Fig. 2 then, at the connection of the two
different materials (B), heat is absorbed or emitted, depending on the direction of the current.
The heat absorbed or emitted per unit time is P = I , where is the Peltier-coefficient. The
Peltier-coefficient is not independent of the Seebeck-coefficient :
= T,

(1)

where T is the absolute temperature of the connecting point B.

B.1.3

Joule-heat

An electric current I flowing through a conductor releases heat. The heat released per unit time is
P = R I 2 , where R is the (temperature-dependent) resistance of the conductor. The Joule-heat
released in the thermoelectric cell is equally distributed between the two sides of the cell.
B.1.4

Thermal conduction

To understand the behaviour of the thermoelectric cell, we have to take into account this purely
thermal effect too. If there is a temperature difference T between two sides of a material then
heat is flowing from the warmer side to the colder one. The rate of heat flow is P = Ad T ,
where is the thermal conductivity of the material, A the cross-sectional area and d the thickness
of the material (the distance between the two sides).

B.2

Thermoelectric generator and Peltier cooler

Fig. 3(a) shows the thermal scheme of the cell used as a thermoelectric generator. A small part of
the heat absorbed on the warmer side of the cell (P2 ) is converted into electric power (PE ) and the
rest of it is emitted at the colder side (P1 ).
Similarly Fig. 3(b) shows the thermal scheme of the cell used as a Peltier cooler. Using electric
power (PP , Peltier-power) the cell absorbs heat (P2 ) on the cooled side and emits the total heat
at the heated side (P1 ). Notice the opposite effect of the thermal conduction.

Thermoelectricity

Page 2 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity

Figure 3: (a) Left: Thermoelectic generator (b) Right: Peltier cooler

C.

Apparatus

A. 1 top part with heating resistor (big red-black connectors) and platinum thermometer
(small red-black connectors, RH = 10 )
B. 1 thermoelectric cell (red and black connectors) with heat conducting paste
C. 1 bottom part with water cooling and platinum thermometer (small red-black connectors)
D. 1 heat isolation cap for the top part
E. 2 DC power supplies (one with voltmeter, the other without)
F. 4 multimeters
G. 3 connecting cables with banana jacks at both ends
H. 1 stop watch
The whole apparatus is seen on Fig. 4.
ATTENTION! Use the apparatus always as suggested in the tasks, otherwise you
can cause damages of the apparatus. Take care of the correct polarity of the cell, the
appropriate range of the multimeter, the maximum allowed values of voltage, current
and power.

Thermoelectricity

Page 3 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity

Figure 4:
TASKS
Place the isolation cup carefully on the top part. Check whether the water cooling system works
properly.

TASK.1
TASK.1.1

Studying the thermoelectric generator

Determining the Seebeck-coefficient

The temperature dependent resistance R of the platinum thermometers (small yellow-green

connectors) is
R = R0 (1 + P t T ),

(2)

where R0 = 100.0 ohm, P t = 3.851 103 1/ C and T is the temperature in C.

TASK.1.1.1
0.1 points
Express the temperature T (in C) in the function of the measured resistance R using the given
constants R0 and P t . Write your result on the answer sheet.
The resistance of the heating resistor (big yellow connectors) is RH = 10.0 ohm which can be
taken independent of temperature in the range of your measurement. The heating power can be

Thermoelectricity

Page 4 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity

Figure 5:
controlled by the output voltage of the power supply. At the next measurement start with a small
heating voltage (VH = 2.00V , e.g.) and later increase the voltage from time to time. Finally
increase the heating voltage up to VH = 10.0 V and after this measurement leave it switched on.
ATTENTION! Never use more then 10 V heating voltage in this task.
TASK.1.1.2
1.5 points
Measure the electromotive force V of the thermoelectric cell in the function of temperature
difference T between the top and bottom parts. Fill in the Table 1.1.2 on the answer sheet with
the measured and calculated data. Label the quantities concerning to the bottom part with index
1 and to the top part with index 2 (R1 , T1 , R2 , T2 , e.g.).
TASK.1.1.3
1.4 points
Plot the electromotive force V of the cell versus temperature difference T . Use a graph paper
and label it as Graph 1.1.3. Fit a line to the measured data points and estimate the
Seebeck-coefficient of the cell. Write your result on the answer sheet.
TASK.1.2

Determining the internal resistance off the cell

Using the constant heating voltage (VH = 10.0 V) of the last task, the temperature difference and
the electromotive force of the cell approach a maximum value and equilibrium. If you load the
thermoelectric generator cell with a resistor for a short time a current starts to flow. In this
measurement you will load the cell with an ammeter in range 200 mA that has internal resistance
about 2 ohms. Measure the internal resistance of the ammeter: connect a multimeter in range 200
mA (DC) to another multimeter used as an ohmmeter in appropriate range. Be careful with the
connectors because they do not fit the ammeter and ohmmeter very well.
ATTENTION! The multimeters have to be disconnected from any other circuits!

Thermoelectricity

Page 5 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity
TASK.1.2.1
0.1 points
Measure the internal resistance RA of the ammeter (in range 200 mA) and write your result on
the answer sheet.
TASK.1.2.2
0.1 points
Draw a circuit diagram on the answer sheet to show how you connect the ammeter (as a load) to
the thermoelectric cell and the voltmeter.
TASK.1.2.3
0.1 points
Read the electromotive force V0 of the unloaded cell and write your result on the answer sheet.
TASK.1.2.4
0.1 points
Load the cell with an ammeter (in range 200 mA) for a short time. Read the current IL
immediately after connecting the ammeter. Write your result on the answer sheet.
TASK.1.2.5
0.3 points
Express and calculate the internal resistance RC of the thermoelectric cell and write the
expression and your numerical result on the answer sheet.
TASK.1.3

Determining the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator

In this task use the constant heating voltage (VH = 10.0 V) as in the last task before.
To obtain maximum external power from the cell, the resistance of the load should be equal to
the internal resistance of the cell. We can approach this maximum if the resistance of the load
and the internal resistance of the cell are in the same range. For the sake of this you can use an
ammeter (in range 200 mA) as a load.
If you connect the ammeter the launched current decreases the temperature difference between
the two sides of the cell (because of Peltier-effect) and thus it decreases the electromotive force,
too. After some time a new equilibrium can be approached with a constant voltage VE and a
constant current IE .
TASK.1.3.1
Read the equilibrium voltage VE and current IE and write them on the answer sheet.

0.1 points

ATTENTION! If you are ready with this task, switch off the power supply connected
to the heating resistor.
TASK.1.3.2
0.1 points
Express and calculate the useful (external) electric power PE of the thermoelectric generator and
write the expression as well as your numerical result on the answer sheet.

Thermoelectricity

Page 6 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity
TASK.1.3.3
0.1 points
Express and calculate the power PH of the heating resistor and write the expression as well as
your numerical result on the answer sheet.
TASK.1.3.4
0.2 points
Express and calculate the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator and write the expression as
well as your numerical result on the answer sheet.

TASK.2

Studying the Peltier-cooler

Check, that the power supply connected to the heating resistor is switched off. Use the other
power supply to operate the Peltier-cooler and to measure the Peltier-voltage VP applied to the
cell. The Peltier-current IP through the cell have to be measured by an other multimeter.
ATTENTION! The red connector must be connected to the positive output of the
power supply. (Otherwise the top part will be heated instead of be cooled.)
ATTENTION! The Peltier current is bigger then 200 mA. Use the COM and 10
ADC inputs of the multimeter and the 10 A range; otherwise you can damage the
multimeter.
TASK.2.1

Cooling by the Peltier-cell

TASK.2.1.1
0.1 points
Draw a circuit diagram on the answer sheet to show how you connect the cell and the ammeter to
the power supply. Indicate the voltmeter of the power supply, too.
In this task you will cool down the top part by the cell used as a Peltier-cooler. During your
measurement you have to apply a constant Peltier-power PP = 1.00 W. But, because of the
changing electromotive force appearing on the cell, the Peltier-current IP is changing during the
measurement. So time to time you have to change the Peltier-voltage VP in order to keep the
Peltier-power PP constant. For easy and fast adjustment use the following table.
IP (A)
0.40
0.41
0.42
0.43
0.44
0.45
0.46
0.47
0.48
0.49

VP (V)
2.50
2.44
2.38
2.33
2.27
2.22
2.17
2.13
2.08
2.04

IP (A)
0.50
0.51
0.52
0.53
0.54
0.55
0.56
0.57
0.58
0.59

VP (V)
2.00
1.96
1.92
1.89
1.85
1.82
1.79
1.75
1.72
1.69

IP (A)
0.60
0.61
0.62
0.63
0.64
0.65
0.66
0.67
0.68
0.69

VP (V)
1.67
1.64
1.61
1.59
1.56
1.54
1.52
1.49
1.47
1.45

IP (A)
0.70
0.71
0.72
0.73
0.74
0.75
0.76
0.77
0.78
0.79

VP (V)
1.43
1.41
1.39
1.37
1.35
1.33
1.32
1.30
1.28
1.27

IP (A)
0.80
0.81
0.82
0.83
0.84
0.85
0.86
0.87
0.88
0.89

VP (V)
1.25
1.23
1.22
1.20
1.19
1.18
1.16
1.15
1.14
1.12

Table 1: Appropriate IP - VP values for PP = 1.00 W Peltier-power

Thermoelectricity

Page 7 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity
TASK.2.1.2
1.0 points
Measure the temperature difference T between the top and bottom parts in the function of time
t when PP = 1.00 W is applied during 15 minutes. Fill in the Table 1 on the answer sheet with
the measured and calculated data. Label the quantities as in TASK.1.1.2
ATTENTION! After this measurement let the Peltier-power switched on.
TASK.2.2

Using the Peltier-cooler heated again

In the previous task we know the electric power used for the cooling (PP ), but we couldnt
estimate the heat pumped by the Peltier-cooler, because of the presence of an unknown thermal
conduction. For estimating the heat pumped by the cell we should investigate the case where no
temperature difference, and so no thermal conduction are present.
In this task you will use the Peltier-cooler and the heating resistance in the same time. You have
to keep the Peltier-power at constant value PP = 1.00 W, as in the last task and you have to
apply heating powers PH1 = 5.00 W, PH2 = 11.00 W and PH3 = 18.00 W.
TASK.2.2.1
0.1 points
Express and calculate the voltage VH to be applied on the heating resistor (RH = 10 ohm) for the
appropriate heating powers. Write the expression as well as your numerical results on the answer
sheet.
TASK.2.2.2
1.8 points
Measure the temperature difference T between the top and bottom parts in the function of time
t when PP = 1.00 W and different heating power PH are applied. Use PH1 = 5.00 W,
PH2 = 11.00 W and PH3 = 18.00 W after each other and continue the measurement for 10
minutes in each case. Fill in the Table 1 on the answer sheet with the measured and calculated
data. Label the quantities as in TASK.1.1.2.
ATTENTION! If you are ready with this measurement, switch off both power
supplies.
TASK.2.2.3
1.2 points
Using the results of TASK.2.1.2 and TASK.2.2.2 plot the temperature difference T versus time
t . Use a graph paper and label it as Graph 2.2.3. Plot the T values of TASK.2.1.2 and
TASK.2.2.2 in the same graph continuously after each other, i.e. the time scale should be
15 + 3 10 = 45 minutes long. You can observe that after a long enough time the temperature
difference approaches an equilibrium value TE in any case if the heating power PH is kept
constant (or switched off). Estimate the four equilibrium temperature differences TE and write
your result on the answer sheet.

Thermoelectricity

Page 8 of 9

Problem Creator: Peter Vanko

Experiment 1: Thermoelectricity
TASK.2.3

Determining the cells coefficient of performance and the

Peltier-coefficient

TASK.2.3.1
0.8 points
Using the results of TASK.2.2.3 plot the equilibrium temperature difference TE versus heating
power PH . Use a graph paper and label it as Graph 2.3.1. Fit a line to the measured data points
and estimate the heating power PH0 , where the equilibrium temperature difference TE = 0.
Write your result on the answer sheet.
If the temperature difference TE = 0 , there is no thermal conduction and so the external heat
pumped by the Peltier-cell in unit time is equal with the heating power PH0 . The Peltier-cell can
pump more heat per unit time then the electric power consumed, therefore here the term
coefficient of performance is used instead of the term efficiency used for thermoelectric
generator. The cells coefficient of performance is the quotient of the external heat pumped per
unit time and the electric power consumed by the cell.
TASK.2.3.2
0.2 points
Express and calculate the cells coefficient of performance and write the expression as well as
your numerical result on the answer sheet.
If the temperature difference TE = 0, there is no electromotive force generated in the cell and
the Peltier-current IP can be simply calculated from the Peltier-power PP and the internal
resistance of the cell RC measured earlier.
TASK.2.3.3
0.1 points
Estimate or calculate the Peltier-current IP at PP = 1.00 W and TE = 0. Write down how you
do it and your numerical result on the answer sheet.
TASK.2.3.4
0.2 points
Express and calculate the Peltier-coefficient of the cell at the conditions of your measurement.
Write the expression and your numerical result on the answer sheet.

TASK.3

Estimating the absolute temperature

TASK.3.1

0.3 points

Using the result of TASK.1.1.3 and TASK.2.3.4 express and calculate the average absolute
temperature T of your device during the measurement. Write the expression and your numerical
result on the answer sheet.

Thermoelectricity

Page 9 of 9

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 1
TASK 1.1.1
0.1 pts
Express the temperature T (in C) in the function of the measured resistance R using the
given constants R0 and Pt .

T=

R R0
R0 Pt

1.5 pts
TASK 1.1.2
Measure the electromotive force V of the thermoelectric cell in the function of temperature
difference T between the top and bottom parts. Fill in the Table 1.1.2 with the measured
and calculated data. Label the quantities concerning to the bottom part with index 1 and to the
top part with index 2 ( R1 , T1 , R2 , T2 , e.g.).

Table 1.1.2
V (mV or V)

R1 (ohm)

R2 (ohm)

T1 (C)

T2 (C)

T (K or C)

13
28
47
62
85
107
128
148
205
245
290
350
400
435
480
500
525
535

106.6
106.6
106.6
106.7
106.7
106.8
106.8
106.9
107.0
107.2
107.3
107.4
107.6
107.8
108.0
108.2
108.4
108.5

106.9
107.1
107.3
107.5
107.7
108.0
108.2
108.5
109.1
109.7
110.2
110.9
111.5
112.0
112.6
112.9
113.4
113.5

17.1
17.1
17.1
17.4
17.4
17.7
17.7
17.9
18.2
18.7
19.0
19.2
19.7
20.3
20.8
21.3
21.8
22.1

17.9
18.4
19.0
19.5
20.0
20.8
21.3
22.1
23.6
25.2
26.5
28.3
29.9
31.2
32.7
33.5
34.8
35.1

0.8
1.3
1.9
2.1
2.6
3.1
3.6
4.2
5.4
6.5
7.5
9.1
10.2
10.9
11.9
12.2
13.0
13.0

0.05

0.05

0.15

0.15

0.2

errors:
2

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 1.1.3
1.4 pts
Plot the electromotive force V of the cell versus temperature difference T . Use a graph
paper and label it as Graph 1.1.3. Fit a line to the measured data points and estimate the
Seebeck-coefficient of the cell.

= 42.6 mV/K 0.2 mV/K (or 0.0426 V/K 0.0002 V/K)

Dont forget to attach Graph 1.1.3 to your answer sheet.

TASK 1.2.1
Measure the internal resistance R A of the ammeter (in range 200 mA).

0.1 pts

R A = 2.9 ohm 0.05 ohm

TASK 1.2.2
Read the electromotive force V0 of the unloaded cell.

0.1 pts

V0 = 540 mV 2 mV (or 0.540 V 0.002 V)

TASK 1.2.3
0.1 pts
Draw a circuit diagram to show how you connect your ammeter (as a load) to the
thermoelectric cell and the voltmeter.

cell

TASK 1.2.4
0.1 pts
Load your cell with your ammeter (in range 200 mA) for a short time. Read the current I L
immediately after connecting the ammeter.
I L = 125 mA 5 mA (or 0.125 A 0.005 A)

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 1.2.5
Express and calculate the internal resistance RC of the thermoelectric cell.

0.2 pts

Expression:

RC =

V0
RA
IL

Numerical result:

RC = 1.4 ohm 0.1 ohm

TASK 1.3.1
Read the equilibrium voltage VE and current I E .

0.1 pts

VE = 325 mV 1 mV (or 0.325 V 0.001 V)

I E = 111 mA 1 mA (or 0.111 A 0.001 A)

TASK 1.3.2
0.1 pts
Express and calculate the useful (external) electric power PE of the thermoelectric generator.
Expression:

PE = VE I E
Numerical result:

PE = 36.1 mW 0.4 mW (or 0.0361 W 0.0004 W)

TASK 1.3.3
Express and calculate the power PH of the heating resistor.
Expression:

PH =

VH2
RH

Numerical result:

PH = 10.0 W

0.1 pts

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 1.3.4
Express and calculate the efficiency of the thermoelectric generator.

0.2 pts

Expression:

PE
PH

Numerical result:

= 0.0036 0.0001 = 0.36 % 0.01 %

TASK 2
TASK 2.1.1
0.1 pts
Draw a circuit diagram to show how you connect the cell and your ammeter to the power
supply. Indicate the voltmeter of the power supply, too.
A
V

cell

power supply

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 2.1.2
1.0 pts
Measure the temperature difference T between the top and bottom parts in the function of
time t when PP = 2.00 W is applied during 15 minutes. Fill in the Table 2.1.2 with the
measured and calculated data. Label the quantities concerning to the bottom part with index 1
and to the top part with index 2 ( R1 , T1 , R2 , T2 , e.g.).

Table 2.1.2
t (min or s)
0
0.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
15

R1 (ohm)

R2 (ohm)

T1 (C)

T2 (C)

T (K or C)

106.6
107.6
107.7
107.8
107.7
107.6
107.5
107.3
107.3
107.2
107.2
107.1
107.1

106.9
105.0
104.4
103.7
103.1
102.7
102.4
102.1
102.0
101.9
101.8
101.7
101.7

17.1
19.7
20.0
20.3
20.0
19.7
19.5
19.0
19.0
18.7
18.7
18.4
18.4

17.9
13.0
11.4
9.6
8.1
7.0
6.2
5.5
5.2
4.9
4.7
4.4
4.4

0.8
-6.7
-8.6
-10.7
-11.9
-12.7
-13.3
-13.5
-13.8
-13.8
-14.0
-14.0
-14.0

0.05

0.05

0.15

0.15

0.2

errors:
0.2

TASK 2.2.1
0.1 pts
Express and calculate the voltage VH to be applied on the heating resistor for the appropriate
heating powers.
Expression:

VH = PH RH

Numerical results:

VH 1 = 7.75 V
VH 2 = 10.95 V

VH 3 = 13.42 V

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 2.2.2
1.8 pts
Measure the temperature difference T between the top and bottom parts in the function of
time t when PP = 2.00 W and different heating power PH are applied. Use 6.00 W, 12.0 W
and 18.0 W after each other and continue the measurement for 10 minutes in each case. Fill in
the Table 2.2.2 with the measured and calculated data. Label the quantities concerning to the
bottom part with index 1 and to the top part with index 2 ( R1 , T1 , R2 , T2 , e.g.).

Table 2.2.2
t (min or s)
PH (W)
6.00
15 + 0
6.00

15 + 0.5

6.00

15 + 1

6.00

15 + 2

6.00

15 + 3

6.00

15 + 4

6.00

15 + 5

6.00

15 + 6

6.00

15 + 8

6.00/12.0

15 + 10

12.0

25 + 0.5

12.0

25 + 1

12.0

25 + 2

12.0

25 + 3

12.0

25 + 4

12.0

25 + 6

12.0

25 + 8

12.0/18.0

25 + 10

18.0

35 + 0.5

18.0

35 + 1

18.0

35 + 2

18.0

35 + 3

18.0

35 + 4

18.0

35 + 6

18.0

35 + 8

18.0

35 + 10

T1 (C)

T2 (C)

T (K or C)

R1 (ohm)

R2 (ohm)

107.1
107.2
107.2
107.3
107.6
107.8
107.9
108.0
108.1
108.2
108.3
108.3
108.6
108.7
108.9
109.2
109.3
109.4
109.5
109.5
109.7
110.0
110.2
110.4
110.5
110.6

101.7
102.0
102.3
103.0
103.7
104.1
104.3
104.5
104.8
104.9
105.3
105.7
106.5
107.0
107.4
107.9
108.2
108.3
108.8
109.2
109.9
110.5
110.9
111.3
111.6
111.8

18.4
18.7
18.7
19.0
19.7
20.3
20.6
20.8
21.0
21.3
21.6
21.6
22.3
22.6
23.1
23.9
24.2
24.4
24.7
24.7
25.2
26.0
26.5
27.0
27.3
27.5

4.4
5.2
6.0
7.8
9.6
10.6
11.2
11.7
12.4
12.7
13.7
14.8
16.9
18.2
19.2
20.5
21.3
21.5
22.9
23.9
25.7
27.3
28.3
29.4
30.1
30.6

-14.0
-13.5
-12.7
-11.2
-10.1
-9.7
-9.4
-9.1
-8.6
-8.6
-7.9
-6.8
-5.4
-4.4
-3.9
-3.4
-2.9
-2.9
-1.8
-0.8
+0.5
+1.3
+1.8
+2.4
+2.8
+3.1

0.05

0.05

0.15

0.15

0.2

errors:
0.05

0.2

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 2.2.3
1.2 pts
Using the results of Task 2.1.2 and Task 2.2.2 plot the temperature difference T versus
time t . Use a graph paper and label it as Graph 2.2.3. Plot the T values of Task 2.1.2 and
Task 2.2.2 in the same graph continuously after each other, i.e. the time scale should be
15 + 3 10 = 45 minutes long. You can observe that after a long enough time the temperature
difference approaches an equilibrium value TE in any case if the heating power PH is kept
constant (or switched off). Estimate the four equilibrium temperature differences TE .
PH = 0

TE = -14.0 K 0.2 K (or C)

PH = 6.00 W

TE = -8.6 K 0.1 K (or C)

PH = 12.0 W

TE = -2.9 K 0.1 K (or C)

PH = 18.0 W

TE = +3.1 K 0.1 K (or C)

Dont forget to attach Graph 2.2.3 to your answer sheet.

0.8 pts
TASK 2.3.1
Using the results of Task 2.2.3 plot the equilibrium temperature difference TE versus
heating power PH . Use a graph paper and label it as Graph 2.3.1. Fit a line to the measured
data points and estimate the heating power PH 0 , where the equilibrium temperature difference
TE = 0 .
PH 0 = 14.9 W 0.3 W

Dont forget to attach Graph 2.3.1 to your answer sheet.

TASK 2.3.2
Express and calculate the cells coefficient of performance .
Expression:

PH 0
PP

Numerical result:

= 7.4 0.2 = 740 % 20 %

0.2 pts

Solution (expressions, circuit diagrams, labels, units, etc.),

measured and calculated values + errors

TASK 2.3.3
0.1 pts
Using the result of Task 1.2.6 express and calculate the Peltier-current I P at PP = 2.00 W and
TE = 0 .
Expression:

IP =

PP
RC

Numerical result:

I P = 1.2 A 0.1 A

TASK 2.3.4
0.2 pts
Express and calculate the Peltier-coefficient of the cell at the conditions of your
measurement.
Expression:

P
PH 0 + P
PH 0
2 , the Peltier-cell has to pump one half of the Joule=
[or more accurate: =
IP
IP
heat, too. See Fig.5. both solution are accepted]
Numerical result:

= 12.5 V 1 V [or 13.3 V 1 V, according to the comment above]

TASK 3

0.3 pts
TASK 3.1
Using the result of Task 1.1.3 and Task 2.3.4 express and calculate the average absolute
temperature T of your device during the measurement.
Expression:

T=

Numerical result:

T = 290 K 20 K [or 310 V 20 V, according to the comment above]